U.S. patent application number 10/745199 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for methods and systems of responsive messaging.
Invention is credited to Adamczyk, Maria, McQuaide, Arnold Chester JR..
Application Number | 20050138129 10/745199 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34679086 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050138129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adamczyk, Maria ; et
al. |
June 23, 2005 |
Methods and systems of responsive messaging
Abstract
Methods and systems for responding to messages such as
electronic mail messages. Based on a request to send a response to
an e-mail, the e-mail originator address may be used to determine
the recipient. The recipient's presence or active use of a device
is checked such as by consulting a presence server or a home
location register (HLR), if a wireless device. The response is sent
via a response mode corresponding to such presence or active use.
The response modes may be organized hierarchically. If a recipient
is present or actively using more than one device, the response
mode having highest priority in the hierarchy is used. The response
modes may include e-mail, paging, or wireline or wireless
communications. The recipient may be provided with an option to
call the originator of the response. If the recipient selects the
option, a call may be routed from the recipient to the
originator.
Inventors: |
Adamczyk, Maria;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; McQuaide, Arnold Chester JR.;
(Berkeley Lake, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMAS, KAYDEN, HORSTEMEYER & RISLEY, LLP/
BELLSOUTH I.P. CORP
100 GALLERIA PARKWAY
SUITE 1750
ATLANTA
GA
30339
US
|
Family ID: |
34679086 |
Appl. No.: |
10/745199 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/00 20130101;
H04L 69/329 20130101; H04L 67/24 20130101; H04L 29/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of responding to an electronic mail message (e-mail),
comprising: receiving a request to send a response to the e-mail;
using the e-mail originator address to determine a recipient for
the response; accessing response modes associated with the
recipient; determining presence of the recipient in using a device
with respect to at least a response mode of the response modes
associated with the recipient; and using the response mode to
transmit the response.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the response modes associated
with the recipient include a first choice of response mode; wherein
determining the presence of the recipient comprises determining the
presence of the recipient in using a device corresponding to the
first choice of response mode; and wherein using the response mode
to transmit the response comprises using the first choice of
response mode.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first choice of response mode
comprises an electronic mail message (e-mail); and wherein the
device corresponding to the first choice of response mode comprises
a computing device.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first choice of response mode
comprises a communication; and wherein the device corresponding to
the first choice of response mode comprises a communication
unit.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the response comprises data; and
wherein using the response mode to transmit the response comprises
translating the data into speech to be used as the communication
transmitted to the communication unit.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the communication comprises a
wireless communication; and wherein the communication unit
comprises a wireless unit.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the communication comprises a
wireline communication; and wherein the communication unit
comprises a wireline unit.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein using the response mode to
transmit the response comprises calling the communication unit and
providing a user of the communication unit with an option to hear
the response.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein, instead of using the response
mode to transmit the response, using the response mode to transmit
an announcement to a user of the communication unit of an option to
call an originator of the response.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the user of the communication
unit exercises the option by indicating a selection of the
option.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein, in response to selection of
the option to call the originator of the response, a call is routed
from the communication unit to a device being used by the
originator of the response.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the response modes comprise a
wireless communication, a wireline communication, an electronic
mail message (e-mail), an instant message, or a page.
13. A system for transmitting a response to an electronic mail
message (e-mail), comprising: a response module including
information associated with a user with the information including
at least a recipient and at least a response mode associated with
the recipient; the response module being operative to receive a
request by the user to send a response to the recipient; the
response module being operative to determine an active response
mode associated with the recipient; and the response module being
further operative to transmit the response to the recipient by
using the active response mode.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the active response mode
comprises a data communication; and wherein the response module
determines the active response mode associated with the recipient
by consulting a presence server.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the active response mode
comprises a wireless communication; and wherein the response module
determines the active response mode associated with the recipient
by consulting a home location register (HLR) of a wireless device
of the recipient.
16. A method for sending a message, comprising: storing response
modes for sending messages in association with recipients of the
messages; receiving a request to send a message with respect to a
received electronic mail message (e-mail); using the received
e-mail to determine a recipient for the message; and sending the
message to the recipient in a response mode corresponding to an
active device of the recipient.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein sending the message to the
recipient in the response mode corresponding to the active device
of the recipient comprises determining the active device of the
recipient.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the active device
of the recipient comprises checking with a presence server for the
active device of the recipient.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the active device
of the recipient comprises checking with a home location register
(HLR) for the active device of the recipient.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the message comprises an
announcement to the recipient of the option to call an originator
of the message; and wherein, in response to exercise of the option
by the recipient, a call is routed from a communication unit of the
recipient to a communication unit of the originator.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS
[0001] The inventions generally relate to the routing of
communications, particularly, responsive communications, and more
specifically may relate to the priority routing of communications
based on a hierarchy of response modes and the presence or active
use of communication devices by recipients.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] At certain times, there is a need to respond immediately to
a received electronic mail message (e-mail) or other communication.
For example, a person may receive an e-mail from a client referring
to a meeting scheduled later in the day, but the e-mail may have
the place of the meeting incorrectly noted. The client plans to
attend the meeting at location X, rather than the correct location
Y. The person would like to correct the mistake and get the right
information regarding the place of the meeting to the client as
quickly as possible and in time for the parties to meet as
scheduled.
[0003] The problem is the person is not assured a responsive
message will be reviewed by the client in time to correct the
mistake as to the meeting's location. The person could reply by
e-mail to the received e-mail including the incorrect meeting
location. The client, however, may not be using his or her computer
or other e-mail device at the time the person sends the reply
e-mail or at any time before the meeting. So, the client may miss
the corrective reply e-mail and may miss the meeting. The person
could call the client, but the client may be unavailable by
phone--whether wireline or wireless. The person may be able to
leave a voicemail message, but as with the reply e-mail, the client
may not review the message in time. The same problem relates to a
page the person may send to the client. The client may not review
the page in time to make the meeting at the correct location.
[0004] To cover all bases, the person may try to communicate with
the client in every possible way to correct the information about
the meeting's location. The person may send a reply e-mail; the
person may call all telephone numbers associated with the client
and leave voicemails or other messages; and the person may send a
page or other data messages, if the client has such devices. These
communications involve a lot of time and effort. The person must
prepare and send the reply e-mail with the correct information. The
person must find the appropriate telephone and pager numbers
associated with the client. The person must make separate calls to
each number. The person must leave separate voicemails with respect
to each telephone number that he or she calls. Despite these
efforts, the person may be unable to determine whether the correct
information on the location of the meeting has been reviewed on a
timely basis by the client.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for a way for a person to
communicate information efficiently and in a manner most likely to
lead to review of the information on a timely basis by the
recipient of the communication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0006] The inventions relate to messaging systems, and
particularly, to messaging systems that allow for messages such as
responsive messages that are transmitted quickly and efficiently to
destinations where the messages are most likely to be reviewed on a
timely basis by the recipients. Depending on the active use of a
communications device by the recipient, the responsive message may
be an e-mail, a telephone call (wireline or wireless), page, and/or
other type of message.
[0007] Advantageously, a person may respond to an e-mail almost
instantly and have the response directed to a device being actively
used by the recipient. Thus, the response may be reviewed by the
recipient on a timely basis with respect to the contents of the
response. The person sending the response does not have to "cover
all the bases" by sending a responsive e-mail, calling each of the
recipient's wireline and/or wireless devices and leaving
voicemails, and/or sending pages or other messages. Therefore, the
person sending the response saves time and effort and is provided
with relative assurance the response has been communicated in a
manner most likely to lead to the recipient's timely review of the
communication. Moreover, the person sending the response may
receive confirmation of the recipient's review of the response.
[0008] Generally stated, the inventions check for the presence or
active use of a communications device by a person or entity who is
to receive a communication from the originator. The communication
is transmitted in the response mode corresponding to a device being
actively used by the recipient. If the recipient is present or
actively using more than one device, the communication may be
transmitted via the response mode having the highest priority as
previously determined. The recipient's review of the response may
be confirmed by communication to the originator.
[0009] More specifically, the inventions include an exemplary
method relating to the transmission of a response to an e-mail. The
recipient of the response may be determined from the e-mail.
Information regarding the recipient's communications devices may be
stored in association with or corresponding to the identity of the
recipient. The information may include response modes. For example,
the recipient may be able to receive a response in a response mode
of e-mail, paging, and/or wireline or wireless communications. The
response modes of a recipient may be organized hierarchically
including a first choice of response mode and second choice of
response mode.
[0010] The recipient's presence or active use of a device is
checked by using the information regarding the recipient's
communications devices. For example, a presence server (with
respect to e-mail or other data communications), or a home location
register (HLR), if a wireless device, may be checked for the
presence or active status of the recipient. A response is sent to
the recipient via a response mode corresponding to such presence or
active use. If a recipient is present or active on a device
corresponding to the first choice of response mode and to the
second choice of response mode, then the response is transmitted in
the response mode of first choice because of its place in the
hierarchy of response modes. Advantageously, the originator may
receive confirmation of the recipient's review of the response.
[0011] The inventions include alternatives for the contents of the
response. Optionally, the response may include a call to the
communications device of the recipient and include an announcement
or otherwise provide the recipient with an option to hear the
substance of the response. As another option, the user of the
communications device may be provided with an opportunity to call
the originator of the response. The user may exercise the option by
indicating a selection of the option. In response to the selection
of the option to call the originator of the response, a call may be
routed from the communications device of the user to a device being
used by the originator of the response.
[0012] The inventions also include an exemplary system for
transmitting a response to an electronic mail message (e-mail). The
exemplary system includes a response module having information
associated with a user. The user information may include identities
of possible recipients of responses or other messages from the
user. One or more response modes may be associated with each
recipient, and may be organized based on a priority hierarchy. In
response to a request by the user to send a response to a
recipient, the response module may determine an active response
mode associated with the recipient. For example, the response
module may consult a presence server to determine whether the
recipient is active on a data communications device such as a
computer. As another example, the response module may consult an
element of a wireless network such as a home location register
(HLR) to determine whether the recipient has activated his or her
wireless device or unit. The response module then may transmit the
response by using the active response mode. Advantageously, the
review of the response by the recipient may be confirmed to the
user.
[0013] The inventions include another exemplary method for sending
a message. This exemplary method stores response modes for sending
messages in association with the identity of recipients of the
messages. In response to receiving a request to send a message with
respect to a received electronic mail message (e-mail), the
received e-mail is used to determine a recipient for the message.
An active device of the recipient may be determined by checking
with a presence server and/or with a home location register (HLR).
A message is sent to the recipient in a response mode corresponding
to an active device of the recipient. Optionally, the message may
be an announcement to the recipient of the option to call an
originator of the message. In response to the exercise of the
option by the recipient, a call may be routed from a communication
unit of the recipient to a communication unit of the originator.
Further, the originator of the message may be provided with
confirmation of the review of the message by the recipient.
[0014] In sum, the inventions generally provide for messages, such
as response messages, that may be transmitted quickly and
efficiently to destinations where the messages are most likely to
be reviewed on a timely basis by the recipients.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment including an
example of a system of the inventions.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method according to
the inventions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS
[0017] Generally stated, the inventions relate to messaging
systems, and particularly, to messaging systems that allow for
messages, especially responsive messages that are transmitted
quickly and efficiently to destinations where the messages are most
likely to be reviewed immediately or at least on a timely basis by
the recipients.
[0018] Exemplary Environment for the Operation of the
Inventions--FIG. 1
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for the
operations of the inventions. An originator 12 may transmit a
message, such as a response (also referred to as response message
or responsive message) to a message such as an electronic mail
message (e-mail) via communication networks such as a wireline
and/or wireless network(s) 14 and/or a data network(s) 16 and/or
other network(s) (not illustrated) to the recipient 18 of the
message. The originator 12 may be a person or entity using one or
more communications devices. The communications devices may include
a computer or other data communications device, a wireline device
such as a telephone, a wireless device such as mobile telephone or
personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a pager, or
the like.
[0020] Where the response by the originator 12 is transmitted in
reply to an e-mail, the originator 12 typically is using a data
communications device such as a computer, personal digital
assistant (PDA), or other device capable of e-mail and/or other
communications with the appropriate software or other functional
elements for carrying out such communications. The originator 12
also may have available to him or her (with or instead of the
computer, PDA, or other device, or otherwise) other communications
devices for the transmission of the message, in combination with
the data communications devices or otherwise, such as a response
including a wireline telephone (also referred to as unit or
device), a wireless unit (also referred to as unit or device), a
pager, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or like communications
device.
[0021] The communication network(s) 14 may be, may include, or may
be part of the public switched telephone network (PSTN), wireless
networks, or other similar networks. The data network(s) 16 may be,
may include, or may be part of a local area network (LAN), wide
area network (WAN), an intranet, global data communications network
such as the Internet, or otherwise.
[0022] Other elements that may be used in carrying out the
exemplary embodiments of the inventions may include an instant
response messaging (IRM) system 20, an e-mail server 22, a presence
server 24, and a media server 26. As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of
these system 20 and servers 22, 24, and 26 may be accessed by or
connected to the data network(s) 16. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
system 20 and the servers 22, 24, and 26 are separate devices
separately connected to the data network(s) 16. But the system 20
and the servers 22, 24, and 26, and their respective
functionalities and features, should not be so limited. The system
20 and servers 22, 24, and 26 may be organized as a single device,
may have their respective features and functionalities distributed
among each other, or other devices, or among the communications
network 14 or the data network(s) 16, or otherwise.
[0023] Yet other elements that may be used in carrying out the
exemplary embodiments of the inventions may include a voicemail
server 27, a gateway 28, and a home location register (HLR) 29. In
the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the voicemail
server 27 is shown as connected to the communications networks (14)
as well as the data network(s). Of course, the voicemail server 27
may be otherwise connected as appropriate to the circumstances such
as being only connected to the communications networks (14), or to
the data network(s) 16, or otherwise. Moreover, the voicemail
server 27 is not necessarily a separate element as illustrated in
FIG. 1, but may be incorporated, connected to, and/or distributed
among one or more elements of the communications network(s) 14
and/or the data network(s) 16.
[0024] As noted, a gateway 28 and a home location register (HLR) 29
may be used in carrying out the exemplary embodiments of the
inventions. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gateway 28 may be
connected to the data network(s) 16 and through the HLR 29 (or
otherwise) to the communications network(s) 14. The gateway 28 may
function effectively as a translator between the data network(s) 16
and communications network(s) 14. In particular, the gateway 28 may
facilitate the communications between the data network(s) 16 and
the HLR 29. The gateway 28 may be a voice/data gateway such as a
VoiceXML Gateway (also referred to as a "voice browser" or VOXML).
Further, the gateway 28 may be connected to the communications
network(s) 14 and the data network(s) 16 through elements that
include features or functionalities such as automatic speech
recognition (ASR) and/or text-to-speech (TTS) (ASR/TTS).
[0025] Generally, the inventions and exemplary embodiments thereof
may be made available to the public on a subscription basis. For
example, the originator 12 may be a subscriber to an "instant
response messaging system" or service as (wholly or partially)
implemented through the element of same name 20 as illustrated in
FIG. 1 or otherwise. A subscriber to the instant response messaging
(IRM) system (also referred to as IRM service) generally may reply
to a received e-mail with an "instant response" that is routed via
a response mode to a recipient (typically the author of the e-mail
to the subscriber) based on the recipient's active/presence status
regarding his or her use of a communications device. In an
exemplary embodiment of the inventions, the subscriber may be
offered the option of sending an "instant response" to a message.
Alternatively, the subscriber may access the IRM service by
selecting an action item or by entering a predetermined code or
otherwise.
[0026] An IRM service, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
inventions, differs from conventional services that allow a user to
respond to messages. Among the differences is the functionality of
the IRM service in checking for the presence or active use of a
communications device by the recipient of the response message. The
IRM service routes the response message to the device actively
being used by the recipient. If the recipient is not present or
actively using any device, then the response message may be routed
to a default destination associated with the recipient such as an
e-mail address.
[0027] Upon subscription, the subscriber may provide information
with respect to potential recipients of messages including response
messages. In some cases, the potential recipients of the response
messages may have to agree or provide authorizations so the
subscriber may be able to provide proof, if need be, of the
potential recipients' agreement for inclusion with respect to the
subscriber's activities in responsive messaging. Further, the
potential recipients may have to take some action with regard to
being included as a potential recipient with respect to the
subscriber's responses. For example, a potential recipient may have
to authorize his or her systems and/or communications devices to
allow for receipt of the responses of the subscriber.
[0028] The subscriber may identify individuals or entities as
recipients. With respect to each individual or entity, the
subscriber may identify one or more response modes for
communication with the individual or entity. For each response
mode, the subscriber may provide the appropriate
addressing/identification information for the response mode. For
example, a subscriber may identify a friend with respect to the
instant response messaging system or service. The friend may be
identified by name, address, telephone number, wireless number,
identification number, pager number, e-mail address, and/or the
like.
[0029] Further, the friend (i.e., the identification of the friend)
may be associated with one or more response modes. For example, the
friend may be associated with response modes including e-mail,
wireline call, wireless call, page, etc. For each mode, appropriate
identification information for transmitting the response or message
may be included. As noted, the friend may have to authorize the
inclusion of this information and the actions of the responsive
messaging service. The friend's authorization may be included as
part of the information associated with the friend in the
subscriber's information relating to his or her subscription to IRM
services.
[0030] Further, the response modes with respect to a recipient may
be ordered such as in a hierarchical order. The order in the
hierarchy may be provided by the subscriber. For example, the
response modes with respect to a recipient may be ordered with a
wireless communication as a first choice, a page as a second
choice, a wireline communication as a third choice, and an e-mail
communication as a fourth choice. Even though four response modes
have been described in the previous example, the inventions should
not be so limited. A single response mode may be associated with
recipient. Alternatively, more than one response mode may be
associated with a recipient, and those response modes may or may
not be organized based on a hierarchy. Further, a default response
mode may be associated with a recipient. The default response mode
may be the same for each recipient associated with a subscriber, or
the default response mode may be specifically selected for each
recipient associated with a subscriber.
[0031] If the subscriber does not rank the entries within the
hierarchy, or even if the subscriber provides such a ranking, an
exemplary embodiment may rank the entries in the hierarchy, or may
select a mode of response arbitrarily, or for other reasons. As yet
another alternative, the subscriber may provide the response modes
regarding a particular recipient, but may not necessarily rank the
response modes in any kind of a hierarchy, but rather, leave it up
to the IRM system, depending on the circumstances at the time of
transmission of the response, to determine the mode for
transmitting the response with respect to a hierarchy among the
entries of response modes associated with a recipient. Thus, at the
time of transmission of the response, the IRM service may determine
a hierarchy among the entries corresponding to the recipient. The
hierarchy, and therefore the order of sending a response by any
particular mode, may be based on considerations such as network
traffic in one or more of the networks involved, or by other
considerations. For example, at the time of a particular response,
the network traffic or other reasons may be the basis for sending
the response from the subscriber according to a particular mode
rather than another mode associated with the recipient. As another
example, at the time of a particular response, it may be quicker to
send the response via particular mode rather than another mode
associated with the recipient.
[0032] Moreover, the inventions contemplate different levels of
subscription to the IRM service. For example, a subscriber to an
IRM service may be characterized as a "basic" subscriber. If the
basic subscriber transmits a response to a recipient, the IRM
service may transmit the response based on a hierarchy of response
modes as specified by the basic subscriber. Thus, the IRM service
does not evaluate the differences among the response mode entries
with respect to the recipient as identified by a basic subscriber.
The IRM service transmits a response from a basic subscriber
according to a first response mode as specified by the basic
subscriber even though network traffic or other considerations
would result in a faster transmission of the response in another
response mode.
[0033] As another example, a subscriber to an IRM service may be
characterized as a "premium" subscriber. If the premium subscriber
transmits a response to a recipient, the IRM service may check
among the response modes associated with the recipient to determine
the fastest or most effective manner of transmission of the
response. Thus, the IRM service transmits the response according to
the fastest (or most effective) manner of transmission of the
response given the circumstances and indications of the subscriber
(and/or the recipient).
[0034] A subscriber's list of potential recipients of messages and
related information may be referred to as a contact database.
Moreover, a subscriber's contact database may include entries as
specifically chosen by the subscriber, as provided by one or more
databases or other sources for recipients of recipients, or a
combination thereof.
[0035] A subscriber's contact database may be stored by the
subscriber in and/or connected to one or more of his or her
devices. Alternatively, and/or in addition, a subscriber's contact
database may be stored in an element as part of either a data
and/or communications network. As yet another alternative, and/or
in addition, a subscriber's database may be based upon and/or
derive information from a database (or other information source) to
which the subscriber subscribes or belongs, has access, or which is
available to subscribers to the IRM service or otherwise. For
example, assume a person may have the IRM service available to him
or her as a result of his or her employment, or other affiliation.
As a result, the person may have a database or a subset of
potential recipients based upon his employment or other
affiliation. As another example, a person's subscription to the IRM
service may be based on a common characteristic among other
subscribers. Thus, the person may have a contact database for
responses including others who subscribe to the IRM service and who
have the common characteristic.
[0036] Regardless of the physical location of the contact database,
it should be available for use in carrying out the response
messaging of the exemplary embodiments.
[0037] An exemplary embodiment of the inventions implements an IRM
service in part through provision and use, as illustrated in FIG.
1, of an instant response messaging (IRM) system 20 that is
connected to the data network(s) 16. The IRM system 20 may
implement the response messaging functionalities described herein.
The IRM system 20 may be software based, but not necessarily or
necessarily exclusively software based. The IRM system 20 may
monitor and carry out functionalities of response messaging for
subscribers such as originator 12 through the IRM system's
connection to the data network(s) 16. FIG. 1 illustrates the IRM
system 20 as a separate element connected to the data network(s),
but the IRM system 20 should not be so limited. The IRM system 20
may be included or may be a part of another element(s) or
network(s).
[0038] Additional examples of response messaging features of the
exemplary embodiments are provided below in connection with a
description of the flow diagram of FIG. 2.
[0039] Flow Diagram of an Exemplary Embodiment--FIG. 2
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of actions that
may be taken according to variations of the inventions. For
example, in FIG. 2, a message is received in action 30. The person
or entity or who received the message (also referred to as
subscriber) decides in action 32 to provide a response. Because the
subscriber is providing the response, the subscriber may be
referred to as the originator of the response as indicated in FIG.
1. In an exemplary embodiment, the message that is received and to
which a response may be sent is an e-mail message received on one
or more of the subscriber's e-mail devices such as a computer, or
other device. But the message to which an instant response may be
sent is not limited to an e-mail message. Other types of messages
may also engender an instant response and these other types may
include other data messages such as instant messages,
wireline/wirelss messages, pages and voicemail messages. Of course,
response messaging to types of messages other than e-mails may
require involvement of the wireline/wireless network(s) and other
systems and networks in providing information from or about the
messages to be used in the response messaging and otherwise.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 2, in response to the subscriber's
decision to send a response to a message, the exemplary embodiment
uses information from the message received by the subscriber to
determine the identity of the recipient of the response message.
The identity of the recipient is used in action 34 to obtain
information associated with the recipient. This information may
include the response modes available with respect to the recipient
for sending the response. The information may be stored in the
contact database referenced above in connection with FIG. 1. The
information stored in association with recipients of response
messages also may be stored in an address book or similar storage
mechanism.
[0042] As an example illustrating the flow diagram of FIG. 2,
assume a recipient's name is associated with a list including two
different response modes: wireless communication and e-mail. Also
in this example, assume the wireless communication response mode
has a higher priority than the e-mail response mode.
[0043] In action 36, the exemplary embodiment checks whether the
recipient is present or actively using a device associated with a
response mode. When the response modes are listed in order of
priority or in a hierarchy, the exemplary embodiment checks the
first or highest response mode in the list for the presence or
active use by the recipient of a corresponding device. In the
example, the response mode of wireless communication is of the
highest priority. Thus, the exemplary embodiment checks with an
information source such as a home location register (HLR) for the
active use of a wireless communications device by the recipient.
The exemplary embodiment may check the HLR of the wireless
communications device by using information about the wireless
communications device obtained from the contact database and stored
in association with the identity of the recipient. In particular,
referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment may check, via the
data network(s) 16 via the gateway 28 with an HRL such as the HLR
29. The exemplary embodiment may use the information about the
wireless communications device and may communicate through the data
network(s) 16 and through the wireline/wireless network(s) 14.
[0044] Assume for this example the recipient is not using his or
her wireless communications device. Thus, the answer to "presence
found" in action 38 of FIG. 2 is "no". In response to determining
the response mode having the highest priority fails to have an
associated active device, the exemplary embodiment may check for
another response mode associated with the recipient. Thus, the
answer to "check another mode" in action 39 is "yes" in this
example, and the exemplary embodiment returns to check for presence
action 36. If the answer to "check another mode" of action 39 is a
"no", then the exemplary embodiment proceeds to action 42 in
sending a response message to a default destination associated with
the recipient.
[0045] In this example, after failing to find the recipient using
his or her wireless unit, the exemplary embodiment checks for the
presence or active use of a device associated with the next highest
priority response mode: e-mail. The exemplary embodiment checks
presence server 24 to determine whether the recipient is using his
or her e-mail communications device such as a computer. Assume for
this example the recipient is flagged as present, i.e., is using
his or her computer. In other words, the answer to "presence
found?" of action 38 is "yes". In action 40, a response message is
routed to the e-mail address of the recipient.
[0046] Advantageously, the exemplary embodiments of the inventions
may be used with technologies such as text-to-speech (TTS),
automatic speech recognition (ASR), media servers, etc. An
exemplary embodiment may make use of one or more of these
technologies in sending and/or communicating a response message to
a recipient. For example, assume a subscriber provides a "text"
response message such as an e-mail, but the recipient is active on
a wireless unit and wireless communication is the recipient's
highest priority response mode. The exemplary embodiment may
translate the "text" response message into a "speech" response
message, call the recipient's wireless unit, and deliver the
"speech" response message.
[0047] In an embodiment, the IRM service may call the recipient's
wireless unit and present the recipient with the option of
listening to the "speech" response message. If the recipient
exercises the option, the IRM service plays the "speech" response
message. If the recipient elects not to listen or does not respond,
the IRM service may send the response message to a default
destination for the recipient.
[0048] The exemplary embodiments may include additional features
and functions related to the delivery or communication of response
messages. For example, an IRM service may call a recipient once the
recipient is found to be actively using a wireline or wireless
device. The IRM service may provide the recipient with an option to
call the originator of the response. If the recipient accepts, the
IRM service may cause the recipient to be bridged to the originator
of the message. Alternatively, the IRM service may cause a call to
be placed from the recipient's device and directed to the
originator's device.
[0049] From the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments
of the inventions and operation thereof, other embodiments will
suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the
scope of the inventions is to be limited only by the claims below
and equivalents thereof.
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